CVE-2024-49561 in SmartFabric OS10 Software
Summary
by MITRE • 03/17/2025
Dell SmartFabric OS10 Software, version(s) 10.5.4.x, 10.5.5.x, 10.5.6.x, 10.6.0.x, contain(s) an Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability. A low privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The CVE-2024-49561 vulnerability resides within Dell SmartFabric OS10 Software across multiple versions including 10.5.4.x, 10.5.5.x, 10.5.6.x, and 10.6.0.x, representing a critical weakness in privilege management that directly impacts the software's security posture. This vulnerability falls under the category of Incorrect Privilege Assignment as defined by CWE-269, which occurs when a system grants excessive privileges to users or processes that should not have them. The flaw manifests in how the software handles privilege levels during local access scenarios, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to escalate their access rights.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege assignment mechanisms within the OS10 software framework, where local access by unprivileged users can potentially lead to privilege escalation. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, which is a core security principle that restricts user access rights to the minimum necessary for their tasks. The vulnerability allows an attacker with local system access to manipulate privilege levels, effectively bypassing the normal access controls that should prevent unauthorized elevation of privileges. This issue is particularly concerning in network infrastructure environments where such software is deployed, as it could enable attackers to gain administrative control over network switches and fabric management systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Dell SmartFabric OS10 for their network infrastructure management. The low privilege attack vector means that even users with minimal access rights could potentially exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have local access to network devices. The elevation of privileges could allow attackers to modify network configurations, access sensitive data, disrupt network operations, or establish persistent access points within the network fabric. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of network infrastructure, potentially affecting critical business operations and network security policies.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting local privilege escalation methods that leverage software flaws. Organizations should consider implementing immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Dell, reviewing local access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized privilege changes. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its potential to affect network fabric management systems, which are often critical components of enterprise networking infrastructure. Security teams should also consider conducting comprehensive access reviews and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential damage from such privilege escalation attacks. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper privilege management in network infrastructure software to prevent unauthorized access and maintain overall system integrity.